(May 10, 2001) A one-time appropriation of $11 million would be granted to assist local communities that have suffered a natural disaster under a measure passed by the House May 9.

HF402, sponsored by Rep. Tim Pawlenty (R-Eagan), received unanimous approval with a 132-0 vote. The Senate version of the bill, SF383, sponsored by Sen. Deanna Wiener (DFL-Eagan), awaits a floor hearing in that body.

In 2000, the city of Eagan, a suburb of St. Paul, suffered substantial flood damage.

Under the bill, the Department of Trade and Economic Development would make grants during the 2002-03 biennium to communities that experienced heavy rains, flooding, tornadoes, or other natural disasters from May 2000 to July 2000 as declared by the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster.

The funds would be allocated to assist with public costs that are not covered by federal disaster programs, including damage assessment, repair, replacement, or improvement of publicly-owned infrastructure, municipal utilities, parks, storm sewers, and wastewater treatment facilities, according to the bill.

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